Okay everyone, here it is, the concluding chapter. Enjoy. Sorry it took me so long.
I Told You So
Chapter 7: Keeping Promises
Disclaimer: Avatar and its characters belong to nickelodeon.
Darkness had long fallen in the Fire Nation. Zuko and Katara were looking for a place to settle down for the remainder of the night. They had left the small port town, along with the rest of their group five days ago. Their travels through the land had been mostly uneventful. Despite Katara's belief that no one would recognize them Zuko still insisted on getting most of the traveling done during the nights. This would be their last night together before facing off against Azula. Far across the ocean Aang and the rest of the gaang were preparing to face the newly crowned Phoenix King, Ozai. Tomorrow Sozin's Comet would arrive and the fate of their world would be decided.
"This seems as good a place as any," said Katara as they stopped to rest in a small glade. They had been traveling by the moonlight for most of the night, wanting to cover as much ground as possible.
"It will be dawn in a little over two hours," said Zuko as he dropped his pack and began to set up a small camp.
"Ugh, don't remind me. So I take it'll be another early start tomorrow then huh?"
"Actually no. The palace is only about a three hour journey from here, though the land is a bit rough. We can rest the morning, start making our way around noon and by late afternoon we should be there. The sun will still be up so my bending will be strong. If that fails, night will come soon enough, and tomorrow is a full moon. Good for you."
The young water tribe girl paused from laying out her sleeping roll, shooting a surprised glance at Zuko, who was setting up a small campfire for a sense of comfort more than anything else.
"Surprise, surprise. You actually thought something through for once."
"Wait. Was that actually a compliment?" came the lightly mocking response.
"Yes, well. Don't go getting any ideas I'll have to beat out of you later."
"You? Beat me? What a joke."
"Oh really," was the tense reply, as Katara came to stand in front of Zuko, hands on her hips, ready to stare him down. But Zuko was ready for her, uncoiling from his position by the fire to stand straight. He was a few inches taller than the watertribe girl; but not by much, just enough so that she had to tilt her head slightly to look up at him.
"Yes. Really," Zuko whispered his eyes boring into hers. Neither one of them was backing down. They stayed that way for several tense seconds, they didn't even blink.
Each fought to hold each others stares. Then Katara saw it, the tell-tale tick of his cheek muscle. Zuko saw the slight twitch in her eyebrow.
Can't hold out much longer, thought Zuko, feeling his face muscles ticking.
I won't let him win anymore, thought Katara, fighting the twitch in her own face.
It was a losing battle for the both of them. Quite suddenly they both broke down laughing, no longer able to sustain the staring contest. It felt good to laugh so freely. Their journey up to that point had been harsh; their thoughts solely focused on the task ahead of them. So they laughed and laughed until they had to sit down gasping for air.
"That was good," Katara chuckled, wiping the mirth tears from her eyes.
"Yes. It feels good to laugh", Zuko agreed, going back to tend the fire for a moment. When he finished he stood up once more, dusting the dirt off his pants, "I'm going to scout the area real quick. I want to make sure that no one has followed us."
Katara nodded absentmindedly, already turning to finish with their bedrolls. It was part of his routine, one of those things that Katara had grown accustomed to as they traveled, much like she had gotten accustomed Zuko. It was hard to believe that only a few short months ago she had been eager to destroy him along with the rest of his family. Now here she was, trusting him with her life, setting up his bedroll, warming up some travel rations so they could have a quick bite to eat before resting. They were friends, confidants even.
As Zuko quickly checked their camp's perimeter he also reflected on the change in relationship between him and Katara. Part of him was relieved; that grudge had been wearing him down. Mostly, he felt a quiet sense of pride. He had earned her friendship, her respect, and most importantly, her trust. Taking into consideration that she used to threaten his life on a daily basis that was pretty damn good. Zuko realized he was coming up on their camp and slowed down, hoping to catch her off guard. Creeping up along the edge of the light's reach he was about to jump in suddenly when--.
"So Zuko is the area clear?" she asked, not bothering to look up from staring into the fire. Looking over her shoulder she saw him slumped in defeat, disappointment written all over him. "Aaawww….were you hoping to scare me prince charming," she continued, mockingly using Toph's nickname for him.
His only reply was an unconvincing growl as he plopped himself down on the ground across from her. Wordlessly she handed him his bowl and the two began to eat in silence. They finished quickly, banking the flames, and wrapped themselves in their bedrolls.
"So you've been practicing huh," stated Zuko, staring at her face in the faint glow of the dying embers.
"Either that or you've just been getting clumsy," replied Katara. Hearing her team mate's incredulous snort she continued, "I was getting tired of having to attack every noise that came out if the bushes. I figured I should learn to pay better attention."
"You won't hear any complaints from me. My collection of water whip scars is large enough."
"Oh! Poor baby!"
"Peasant!"
"Brat!"
"Ice queen!"
"Flame brain!"
Zuko stuck his tongue out at the girl.
Katara stuck her thumbs in her ears and made saber-moose ears at him.
Just as before, they erupted into a fit of laughter. Anyone who just so happened to come upon them would have thought they were just two normal teenagers, hanging out and having a good time. Katara lay on her back, contemplating the stars as they danced above the trees. Zuko was in a similar position.
"Zuko?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think that we'll be able to do this again?" she asked softly.
"You mean call each other ridiculous names? Undoubtedly. I can think up a whole new batch by morning."
"That's so not what I meant," came the exasperated reply.
"I know," there came a pause, "We can win Katara. I know we can.
"How can be so sure," she said, voice rising, "we lost before. The Day of Black Sun was a disaster. So many people died; so many peo--"
"Katara!" Zuko yelled, cutting off her rant. He sat up, making sure he had her attention, "We. Will. Win. Those deaths will not be for nothing."
"But how do you know?"
"It's our destiny Katara. Mine. Aang's. Yours. Toph's. Heck, even Sokka and Suki. The spirits brought us all together for a reason. This is it. And we are not going to fail. We are going to fulfill our destinies. We are going to help Aang save the world."
Katara just nodded numbly. The fire prince's words helped bring her back to focus. Zuko knew she was alright when he saw the steel in her eyes flash once again.
"Is that a promise Zuko?"
"Yes. That's a promise."
"Good."
"But now you have to make me a promise."
"What about?"
"That we'll be able to do this again. That we'll be able to play 'chicken' on Ember Island and run laughing through the halls of the Air Temple trying to avoid another of Teo's experiments. That we can sit by the cliff faces and watch the sunset, and just…be."
"Zuko…"
"Just promise me that, ok?"
"Ok, Zuko. I promise."
With a final definitive nod, he slipped back into his bed roll. Within minutes the two benders were fast asleep.
Even knowing they would have the time to rest; Zuko and Katara were up shortly after dawn. They went about their usual routine, packing up their bedrolls, and heating up some water for a bit of tea while they munched on some dried fruits.
"So what's for breakfast," asked Zuko, watching the girl digging through her pack, "please tell me we're out of those ocean cumquats."
"Actually we are," came the sad reply, they reminded her of sea prunes and home after all, "but we've got some moon peaches."
"Oh, thank Agni! I mean, well they weren't that bad…it's just…well," he stammered, not having meant to insult her.
"Don't worry about it. They aren't for everyone; I've realized that by now."
"So…moon peaches. Are you sure they're moon peaches," the fire bender asked teasingly, "Because if I remember right you used to confuse them a little."
"Oh ha, ha," was the sarcastic reply, "you're so funny. Why don't you try them, just to make sure,"
"No, I trust you. Besides, I think you learned your lesson the first time."
"That was not funny. My tongue was numb for days!"
"Well…'I told you so', serves you right," he smiled, getting a jab in the arm for his teasing, "Hey, I'm going to need that arm later!"
"Yeah well, you've got another one. Take it like a man," she replied flippantly.
They finished their meager breakfast and stashed away their gear so they could retrieve it later. Katara only held onto her waterskins, while Zuko carried his Dao swords across his back. Today was the day the faced Azula, they had no intention of being tired and sore from hauling gear around when they finally caught up to her. Traveling slowly, not wanting to overexert themselves, they reached the edges of the palace's lands around noon. From that point on they crept quickly along not wanting to catch the attention of any guards that might be standing watch. To Zuko's surprise they met not one person, no soldiers, not even one of the myriad of servants that were constantly about. They finally reached the palace entrance and began making their way through the maze of corridors.
"Zuko, something's not right. It's too quiet," spoke a perplexed Katara.
"I know. We haven't run into one person. It's like the whole palace was abandoned," replied the fire prince, worry creeping into his tone.
"Do you think they found out and warned Azula? This could all be a trap, just like the Day of Black Sun," answered Katara, the panic in her voice evident. Upon hearing her tone Zuko turned back to catch her eyes.
"No Katara, this is no trap. There would have been someone waiting to catch us. I don't know where everyone went but Azula is here somewhere, I can feel it."
"But--"
"No buts Katara. Remember my promise?" Katara nodded in response. "Good. Remember it. I'm keeping that promise… so you can keep yours."
That said they continued along. The two young benders paused before the great double doors that led out into grand courtyard directly in the center of the palace before they pushed them open to step through. Directly across from them on the other side was Azula, lounging on a throne, with one leg up on the seat and the other swinging idly.
She looked like a mess. Zuko and Katara couldn't believe it. This wasn't the great Fire Nation princess they had feared. In her place was a half-crazed girl, her hair cut unevenly and laying dirty and matted across her face. Her clothes were disheveled and the hand tapping on the armrest revealed broken and half-chewed nails in place of an elegant manicure.
"Hey Zu-zu. So you finally found me. Congratulations," Azula called, "I see you've brought along one of your new peasant friends. What's the matter Zu-zu? You weren't man enough to take me out on your own?"
Katara and Zuko stood by the entrance, still shocked at the ragged appearance of the princess. Her scathing tone brought them to their senses and each assumed their fighting stance. Zuko looked back at Katara, who gave him a reassuring nod.
"It's over Azula. This war ends today," Zuko replied, choosing to ignore her other comment.
"Oh but Zu-zu," pouted the princess, getting up from her chair and assuming her own stance, "the fun part has just begun!" Azula sprang forward releasing a wave of fire at the two companions.
Katara and Zuko jumped into action as well. Zuko deflected the wave of fire while Katara came up from behind him and attempted to grab hold of Azula with one of her water tentacles. But the princess was relentless. She burned through or deflected everything they threw at her. Reluctantly Zuko drew his Dao blades, thinking her might be able to at least knock her out with the flat of the blade if he could get close enough. Upon seeing them Azula jumped back landing roughly on her hands and knees at the steps leading up to the throne.
"Give up Azula," tried Katara, "look at yourself. Look at what you've become. Has it really been worth it?"
"I am a princess of the Fire Nation! How dare you insult me!" shrieked Azula, her tone bordering on the hysterical, "you have no idea what I have sacrificed for this country! I would rather let the war continue for another hundred years than let you take it from me!" As she finished her speech she sent two long plumes of blue fire to encircle the courtyard surrounding all three of them in its suffocating heat.
"You're going to kill us all!" Zuko yelled, not believing the sight before him. The courtyard is too large, there is no way she can control that much live fire, thought the fire prince. She might have been able to control it before, but now? She was just too far gone.
Seeing the walls of flame closing in on them Katara gathered as much water as she could together, ripping it from the air, the plants, and anything else in the courtyard. Hands whirling in a blur she began to surround herself and Zuko in a ball of rapidly revolving water.
"Forget it Zuko! We need to get out of here," said Katara, already coughing from the smoke in the air.
"She'll kill herself!"
"Awww…worried about me Zu-zu?" taunted Azula, "maybe you should worry about this!"
When Azula attempted to constrict the fire around them she realized that it was no longer under her control. There was too much fire, and her mind wouldn't focus. The madness in her eyes began to disappear, replaced by full blown panic. Seeing Katara creating a shield around herself and Zuko she went completely over the edge. With a scream of rage she stood tall, drawing her hands in a careful circle as she had been taught, but this time her hands were shaking.
"If I'm going to die here, you're coming with me Zuko! Your stupid water witch won't be able to save you this time," she cackled, lighting beginning to take shape in her hands. Zuko, thinking that the attack was going to be directed at him, assumed his stance for redirecting lighting. Katara had her back turned, attempting to keep the ever enclosing circle of fire at bay.
Suddenly she leapt, directing the crackling lighting around her fingers straight into Katara's back.
"Katara!" yelled Zuko, finally seeing what his sister's idea was. Heart in throat he pumped his legs, running to Katara, trying against all odds to beat the lighting. Al…most…there! At the last possible moment he flung himself in front of the oncoming bolt getting hit full on the chest, not being able to redirect it.
"Zuko!"
When Katara turned to see he hand landed several feet back and she could see the smoke rising from the charred flesh of his chest. Rushing to his side she enveloped them in an ice sphere, making it as compact and thick as she dared, praying to all the spirits she could think of that it would withstand the heat; willing her own life into it. As the ice closed in around them she could hear Azula cackling away in the distance, growing more hysterical by the second. She heard when they changed to shrieks and screams as the fire began to consume the fire princess. After a time, the only thing she heard was the roar of the flames, having finished with Azula, eating up the grand palace. Still she concentrated, one hand on the ice, the other on Zuko, glowing with healing energy, trying to keep him alive.
"Hold on Zuko," whispered Katara, "don't you dare die on me. Remember you promise."
Zuko seemed to hang on that last word, repeating it over and over again as he gasped for air.
"Promise…promise….promise…"
It was the longest hour of their lives. An hour keeping up the sphere. An hour slowly and painfully healing Zuko's burn. An hour before the flames died down enough to let them escape, Katara helping Zuko along as best she could while the palace burned behind them. The last hour of Princess Azula of the Fire Nation's life, consumed by the very element that she destroyed so many other lives with.
Now the war was over. Ozai will never bend again. Azula will never take another life. Their destiny is fulfilled.
One month passes.
The gaang has decided to revisit Ember Island to spend a week relaxing, having been dealing with the hectic aftermath of the war. They have all come together to keep the promises they made during the war.
Aang gets to use his airbending to help him surf the waves.
Sokka takes Suki out for their first real date, just the two of them.
Toph and Haru begin the ultimate sand castle competition.
Teo and The Duke explore the explosive qualities of beach tar.
And Zuko and Katara?
They sit by the cliff faces, watching the sunset.
"The war is finally over," murmured Zuko, staring at the golden orb that was beginning to sink beneath the waves, "we won."
"Yeah, we did."
"I told you so."
"Yeah, you did," laughed Katara, "And now we're sitting here on the cliff face, watching the sunset. Just like I told you so."
"That doesn't count. I made you promise that. Those were my words."
"It was my promise."
"Technicality," said Zuko, standing up to dust the sand off himself, "I'm going for a quick swim before heading in. I haven't even gotten in the water since we've been here."
"You might want to hold off on that," warned Katara, reclining back on her elbows, "the skin on your chest is still pretty raw, it'll sting like crazy."
"It's fine. One quick dip won't hurt."
"Ok. But don't say I didn't warn you".
Zuko took off jogging into the surf, diving in from the shore into an oncoming wave. He gave a yelp as soon as his chest hit the water, getting a stomach full of saltwater for his trouble. Coughing and sputtering he quickly made his way back to the shore, collapsing on his back next to Katara, his chest feeling like a thousand needles were digging into it. Sudden relief came in the form of Katara's water clad hand moving over his chest. He sat up as she withdrew her hand, an evil smirk on her face.
"I know. I know," muttered Zuko, "get it over with."
She leaned close to whisper in his ear.
"I told you so."
Their laughter echoed on the cliffs. Promise kept. On both sides.
I decided to change the ending up, seemed more appropriate somehow. But that's only my opinion. Yours are welcome too by the way. I'd love some feedback on that. For those of you who might have been expecting some romance. Sorry. But this was strictly a friendship fic. I'm considering doing a romantic sequel but it depends on what you think out there. Yes you. The person who is going to review this story. No feedback. No sequel. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it.
CelestialWonder :))